Grab a bowl of popcorn because we’re counting down the top ten movies about basketball this week. Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, cry or just need some inspiration to up your game on the court; this list is sure to glue you to the couch with some hearty, humorous and memorable performances. Check it out below.
Adorned in layers of prosthetics and make up, Kyrie Irving rolls into tenth place starring as Uncle Drew in Uncle Drew. This sports comedy hit cinemas in 2018 and earned a whopping $46 million dollars in the box office. “I thought it was a really cheap production,” says Akec Makur Chuot, “but I loved it. It was so funny,” she adds. Kyrie acts alongside Lil Rel Howery, Chris Webber and Shaq to name a few. You can find this flick on Netflix.
Coming in at number nine, is this late 90s comedy starring Marlon Wayans. “It’s about brothers playing basketball, two brothers, and one passed during a basketball game in high school. That really resonated with us, because me and my brothers were close, playing the game that we loved,” says MLBRN. Although this film deals with the loss of a loved one, it carefully incorporates the element of comedy by having Antoine come back as a ghost to help get his brother and the team get to the championships.
“Basketball is like poetry in motion,” passionate words from Ray Allen’s character in He Got Game, Jesus Shuttlesworth. Allen acts alongside Denzel Washington, John Turturro and Rosario Dawson in this iconic sports drama from 1998. Completing the team is Nicks super fan and director Spike Lee, who finds his film with a star-studded cast in eighth place. “It’s a really, really good movie. Even if you’re not into basketball it’s an incredible movie,” says rapper 360.
White Men Can’t Jump was released 30 years ago and per our host Zac, it’s “one of the greatest movies in cinematic history.” This film made a global debut and raked in a whopping 90 million dollars at the box office, aiding in Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson’s ascension to icon status. “It’s about underestimating people [and] it just tells you that basketball is a global game,” says Akec Makur Chuot. She continues, “I love the title, White Men Can’t Jump, because that’s not true. Have you seen them in AFL?” For A.Girl, the title of the film is a play on words, and she admires Harrelson’s character Billy for his ability to “hoop them out of the court.”
Netflix Original, Hustle, made its way to our screens this year. It stars Adam Sandler and Juancho Hernangomez, and features cameos from some of our favourite NBA stars. “Hustle to me, in this era, is going to be one of the greatest basketball movies that’s come out,” says Beza. Kwabena Brefo found it “very interesting to have all the NBA players included as well. I think Anthony Edwards was a great addition, like him playing a bully roll [and] showing the tough side of the NBA.” Ultimately, it was enamouring to see Sandler in a serious role, with many of his previous roles having been comedic.
This movie is iconic, and the soundtrack is double platinum—we have Tupac to thank for that. Our host Zac believes it should be on everyone’s watch list and on every platform on planet earth. For Akec Makur Chuot, “it’s a bit serious, but I think at the time [that was] the culture and [it shows] the seriousness of how basketball was in people’s lives then.” Above The Rim was one of Melodownz’s favourite movies, “I used to have it on DVD, the reason I got it was because Tupac was in it.” This movie reminds MLBRN of his childhood, “I snatched a few moves out of that movie and it worked in my favour,” he says.
Blending Looney Tunes with the real world, or at least MJ’s world, Space Jam claims fourth spot on the list. “I feel like Space Jam was very important, not only because of how influential it became for the rest of the world and what it did for [Michael] Jordan. But what also what it did for that brand, because Jordan was already Jordan, but now you’re [on] another level of iconic,” says Titan. For Jasmine Ambarwati “this movie was really strong in merging two really iconic brands together. There’s the NBA and there’s literally Looney Tunes, those are two from that time.” Space Jam is a nostalgic family favourite and for good reason—who wouldn’t want to play ball with Bugs Bunny?
Lil Bow Wow takes the court with a bunch of OGs, with appearances from Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Alonzo Mourning in Like Mike. “I was kissing my shoes for years bro,” says Titan. “You see a pair of shoes hanging from a powerline [and] I’m like ‘Like Mike’ every time,” says Jasmine Ambarwati. For Akec Makur Chuot “It starts with the shoes, it’s like this magic. It’s telling kids that when you work hard, when you have a dream, you can achieve it.”
Our silver medallist, Love & Basketball, follows the blossoming romance of two highly driven ballers, Monica and Quincy, as they grow up and aspire to be the best on court. “Monica and Quincy are almost on the same level [of] their careers for the entire movie and I think that it’s not often in movies, in media and probably in real life that women are challenging men’s egos to the same extent that Monica was,” says Jasmine Ambarwati. For Beza, “Monica was me. The amount of times I used to say well, why can’t I? Because I’m a girl? That’s not fair. I’d say that to my parents.” Akec Makur Chuot adds “That’s what that story tells people, that sports can bring love, you can make friendships, you can meet the love of your life.”
To this day, basketballers all around the world still turn to Coach Carter for guidance. Therefore, Samuel L Jackson takes first place with his stellar showcase of leadership and commitment to his team in Coach Carter. “Outside of it being a basketball movie, there is so much in that movie that I’ve just sort of kept with me for the rest of my life,” says Beza. Lil Bubblegum notes that “Humility and persevering through everything. I think that’s really the main message of Coach Carter.” Based on the true story of Ken Carter, “It shows the rough [and] tough side of basketball,” says Kwabena Brefo. With many memorable quotes and words to live by, “Coach carter, you got your morals from [him],” says Titan.
